Carver Public Schools
Carver, Massachusetts
School Committee Meeting
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Minutes
Committee Members Present:
E. Kay Spencer, Chair
Mary Kaminski, Vice Chair
Barry Struski, Secretary
Al Spicer
Absent: Randy Webster
School Administration Present:
Elizabeth Sorrell, Superintendent
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Kay Spencer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
I. Comments from General Public
Kudos to Cathy Sharon-Matthews from the School Committee for her generosity of time, energy, talents, and gifts to the school and community.
Paul McDonald, retiring Director of Facilities, addressed the committee and community to say good bye. He had a wonderful 20 year career in the town that he loves, having the support (including budget) from the administration and school committee. The school committee thanked him for his commitment to the school facilities and the students.
II. Introduction of New Staff
The following new staff were introduced by the Superintendent: Daniel Hamn, Middle School social studies; Amelia Kusins, Middle School Math lab; Jasvir Rai, Middle School Math lab; Cheryl Newall, High School English teacher, David Siedentopf, Director of Facilities.
III. Comments from EAPC
Cathy Sharon-Matthews bid farewell to the committee as she starts her retirement. She thanked the superintendent for all her help and support as the faculty and administration work cooperatively through any issues. She encouraged parents and community to become pro-active and involved in the school system and to attend meetings. She shared information about a concept called Adopt a Classrom where items can be donated for classroom/student use. She introduced the new president of the EAPC to the committee. Michael Riordan has replaced out-going President, Karen Mitchell.
IV. Approval of Minutes
Mary Kaminski made a motion to accept both the regular and executive meeting minutes as written from May 14, 2007. Barry Struski second. Approved, all in favor.
V. Communications
Thank you notes were received from retirees who were honored at various celebrations at the end of the year.
READS Collaborative correspondence was received indicating that they will no longer be pursuing the rental of Ben Ellis building. They have found a suitable building elsewhere.
VI. Reports from the Superintendent
A. Recognitions: Congratulations to Jared Spicer and Kayla Littig who qualified for the New England Council Track Meet.
Three middle school students were tapped for participation in the John Hopkins academic talent program. These students scored Advanced on the Math and ELA portions of MCAS. They took the SAT side by side with high school students. Grade 8 awards of distinction: SUMMER BERGMAN and MEGAN CARA-DONNA Grade 7 award with distinction at state level: ANDREW LARRACEY
Beautiful Music was enjoyed by all at the spring concert series. Thank you to the talented students and their teachers: Gil Barakat,
Deb Giokas, Jeremy Teunis, and John Bianchi.
Also, congratulations to the Music Boosters for their work in bringing Java Jive in concert for the community to enjoy and July 13 will feature Dale and the Duds.
B. Personnel - We continue to search for a Chemistry teacher and athletic trainer.
C. Enrollment Reports – we began the 2033 and ended with 2043 – only 10 more total through out the year.
D. Graduation Report – The committee congratulated Mr. Knief and his staff for wonderful graduation ceremonies. The summary of the Class of 2007: graduated 104 students graduated on June 3, 2007, 47 males and 57 females. The Class valedictorian was Sarah Buttermore, salutatorian was Amy Rafferty. Of the 104 students 19 were National Honor Society members. One student, Amy Rafferty, was a National Merit Scholar. Six students had perfect scores on the ELA portion of the MCAS exams: Alison Spicer, Victoria Cole, Chris Dunham, Amy Rafferty, Kelly Rooney
and Brittany Sherwood. For the first time ever, one student won the District Level of the Voice of Democracy Competition which is a Social Studies’ annual essay writing contest. Brittany Sherwood received this honor. Sarah Buttermore received an All State Nomination for the Southeastern Jr. Districts Music Festival. This year she received first chair honors as the best Flutist in the MMEA All State Orchestra, playing at Symphony Hall.
101 scholarships were awarded to 54 students at Convocation ceremonies. 27 scholarships were from the community; 11 scholarships were memorial scholarships;
16 scholarships were part of the Carver Public School system
· 58 Students will be attending 4 year colleges
· 24 Students will be attending 2 year colleges
· 5 Students will be attending technical schools
· 2 Students will be entering the military
· 14 students will be joining the work force
The class of 2007 dedicated their yearbook to Mr. Mike Fraccalossi for always being a teacher first while dealing with the serious medical issues of his daughter, Ashley.
E. Legislative Report - Letters were sent to Rep. Susan Williams Gifford and Sen. Mark Pacheco regarding Senate bills No 1632 and 1616 from the Superintendent. These two bills impact the teacher retirement system in a significant way. Candy Weiler and the superintendent met with Rep Gifford on Friday, June 8 at the
primary school after the Dare graduation. They spoke to her about pushing for stability in Chapter 70 funding formula, the need for a two year budget for Chapter 70, the retirement bills, and the constant reallocation of Chapter 70 funds to special projects instead of adequately funding the Chapter 70 funds directed to schools. Kay Spencer thanked Liz for her efforts with the Rep. Gifford and urged parents/community to contact their legislators for support of our school district.
F. Migration Report – A two year summary of students who move in and out of the Carver School district has been compiled to track how this movement impacts our MCAS data. Additionally, because of the flux of the enrollments, this could significantly impact our funding through the October 1 enrollment reporting. The Committee was given the raw data by school, by month, by sub-groups of foster, low income, etc. The superintendent will pull apart and work with the data and provide a comprehensive report in the beginning of next school year. She especially
wants to confirm that our reporting/software is accurate. Many states use the average of the previous years enrollment to calculate aid.
G. School Improvement Plans – The Principals of each building presented their school improvement plans (goals) for the next school year. All plans were approved unanimously by the committee. These plans will be merged to draft the district wide improvement plan for the 2007-2008 year.
H. Student/Parent Handbooks – The Assistant Principals of each building presented the changes to their handbooks for the next school year and highlighted any policies which were new or considerable changed. Efforts were made to present handbooks in similar styles/layout for district wide consistency.
I. Mentoring Report – A report was presented by Janet O’Connor and celebrates the successful completion of a mentoring program for our new teachers. Janet has coordinated the mentoring program. As Ms. O’Connor is retiring, Christine Cabral and Kevin Cyr will take over the management of this program. This program is retired in order for teachers to reach their professional status. Thank you to Janet for leading such a positive program.
J. Technology Audit – bids were solicited and a Weymouth company won the bid to review our technology department. They have presented critical situation that needed attention and most of these items have been attended to or will be completed by the end of the summer. It is to protect our software systems and protect data with the most security and gives a fresh start with effective set-ups. We had some very overworked and some under-worked and some significant tune-ups needed to be accomplished to back up our data. The server room is being cleaned out and re-arranged for greater efficiency.
VII. Recommendations from the Superintendent
A. Ben Ellis – Memorandum of Understanding – The Redevelopment Authority has forwarded a memo of understanding regarding Ben Ellis. Numbers 1-9 were there previously, but one item was added by the school district. After many attempts of trying to rent, sell, etc with no success, the committee decided to move forward and accept the assistance of the redevelopment authority to find an appropriate use for the building. Mary Kaminski made a motion to accept/sign this agreement to send to the Town. Al Spicer second. Approved, all in favor. Committee
requests Ben Ellis building appearance to be “cleaned-up”.
B. Job Description Change – The superintendent recommended a job description change for the Director of Business and Finance to reflect additional duties. The title of this position will be changed to Chief of Operations and Finance Officer. Mary Kaminski made a motion to approve the change, Barry Struski second. All in favor.
C. Recreation Committee Members – The committee accepted the resignation of Donna Cotter and approved the reappointment of Scott Alexander to the Recreation Committee for the 2007-2008 school year.
D. Gift of Computers from Simmons College – 10 Apple computers were donated to Carver Public Schools through the generosity of Simmons College. Matt Gillis was responsible for arranging this donation. Motion to accept the gift by Barry Struski, second by Mary Kaminski. All in favor. The Governor John Carver School was also gifted with a donation from the BJ’s adopt a school program. Al Spicer made a motion to accept the gift, Barry Struski second, all in favor.
E. Out of State Field Trips – four out of state field trip requests were approved. Mary Kaminski made the motion, Al Spicer second. All in favor to approve with two modifiers to Grad Nite trip as indicated below.
December 7, 2007: Senior Class to Newport Mansions
April 18-27, 2008: High School Trip to Europe (exact itinerary to be determined)
April 30- May 4 (Wed.-Sunday) Orlando Grad Nite ( Class of 2008) **
April 30, 2008 (Wed) Great East Music Festival, Salem, NH –MS Band &Chorus
** Trip can take place with less than 50% of class attendance. Students must attend a full day of school on Wednesday, April 30th.
F. 2007-2008 School Committee Schedule – The School Committee meeting calendar was presented for committee approval. Brief discussion ensued regarding the November date due to Veteran’s Day holiday. Al Spicer made a motion to accept the meeting dates as written with 11/5 selected for November’s date. Barry Struski second. Approved, all in favor.
G. E. Tilson Pratt – Mary Kaminski made a motion to accept the gift of $571.74 from the E. Tilson Pratt Trust Fund. Al Spicer second, approved, all in favor. As a result of a recommendation through the Music Task Force, the Administrative Team recommended the money be used to fund the choral music library at the Middle School.
VII. Reports from the School Committee
Mary Kaminski brought up the topic of the Middleboro Casino and the effect it would have on our school population if the vote is passed.
Barry Struski gave kudos to the PTO, especially Patti Meden, Jen Roche and Jen Lapsley for an outstanding family night.
Community is reminded of the Carver Athletic Booster Club annual Family Road Race event on Saturday, July 28, 2007.
Al Spicer reported the High School weight room is progressing. All permits should be approved by this week and volunteers are needed. Call 508-866-4148 for more details.
VIII. Executive Session
Chairperson asked for motion by roll call to move to Executive Session for the purpose of discussion employee issues, not to return to Open Session. All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
Next regular meeting: August 13, 2007
Respectfully submitted:
Annmarie G. Metrano, Recording Secretary
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